Sunday Worship Service March 9, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Proverb 16:20
Hymn JBC # 40 O Thou, in whose presence
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 388 Lord, lay some soul upon my heart
Offering Scripture Hebrew 4: 14-16
Prayer
Sermon “Jesus, the High Priest”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 297 I hear the Saviour say
Doxology JBC# 673
Benediction
Postlude
Today's Bible passage (Hebrews 4:14-16) says, "Jesus Christ is the great high priest".
The priests were the people who served God as representatives of the people of Israel.
The priests also performed duties such as offering to God for the forgiveness of sins on behalf of the people and blessing the people on God's behalf.
Today's passage describes Jesus Christ as " a great high priest who has ascended into heaven; the Son of God”.
"Has ascended (going through layers of )into heaven" refers to the fact that after Jesus Christ's crucifixion, death, and resurrection, He ascended into the highest place, where He is now seated at the right hand of God.
Romans 8:34 says, "Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
A human priest cannot meet God face to face, because no human can meet God face to face.
However, Jesus Christ is now with God the Father in heaven and still conveys our requests and prayers to God the Father on our behalf.
Because Christ is now in heaven, we are allowed to pray with faith that our prayers will be heard and that Jesus will convey our prayers and requests to God.
Jesus Christ, God who became man, descended to the lowest place among men, to where we humans dwell.
Why did God become man like that? Why did God come down to the lowest place among us? And why did God have to go to the cross?
The Bible tells us that our sins have been forgiven because Jesus Christ died on the cross.
Christians always remember this, are thankful, and live their lives giving thanks to God for forgiving our sins and giving us new life.
God had no need or obligation to come to this world as Jesus Christ to forgive our sins. That’s because we humans have chosen to live apart from God by ourselves.
God could have saved us or not save us, but the God of love chose to become a human being and reveal himself to us, because that is how much God loves us.
The fact that God became a human being was a miraculous event in which God's love was clearly and visibly demonstrated. Through Jesus, God showed us, "Here is love. Here is salvation."
Jesus was born as a human being to Joseph and Mary, and lived in a village called Nazareth in the region of Israel called Galilee until he was about 30 years old.
It seems that Jesus took over the work of his father Joseph, who was a carpenter, and worked as a carpenter himself. This became a stumbling block for people when Jesus preached about the kingdom of God to them.
In Gospel of Mark Ch.6, we read about when Jesus began to teach about the kingdom of God in the synagogue of his hometown. The people were amazed at what he was teaching.
But some people refused to accept Jesus' great teachings, saying that He was the carpenter and that He was the son of Mary and that they knew His brothers, too.
They may have thought, "There is no way that the carpenter's son, someone from a family we know well, could have such great teachings."
The people who stumbled on Jesus at that time represent our tendency to place more importance on external, non-essential things, such as where a person comes from or what they look like, rather than on who they are and what they have to say or do.
It is very significant for us that Jesus grew up in Galilee as a carpenter's son and a laborer.
This means that Jesus Himself experienced the difficulty, hardship, and challenges that come with working every day.
Working can give you a sense of purpose and the joy of contributing to society, but I think it's hard to earn a living by working every day.
I believe that there are people who suffer hardships in their daily work, who experience things not going as they planned, and who feel overwhelmed.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also experienced the hardships of daily work and labor, so we can trust that He truly knows and understands us.
Jesus is always with us because He Himself has experienced the difficulties of work and the difficulties of daily life.
Today's verse 15 reads:
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Jesus can empathize with our deepest hearts, our pain, and our sorrow.
Empathy here means "to genuinely worry along with another person and to accept their sadness and suffering as your own."
We humans cannot have that much compassion for anyone other than ourselves, but Jesus can.
In Luke 10, we find the story of "The Parable of the Good Samaritan."
When an expert in law asked Jesus, "How can I inherit eternal life?" Jesus told him the following parable:
A man was traveling and he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
The priests and the Levites (who also performed the role of priests) were passing by and when they saw the man who had been attacked by the robbers and lying on the ground, they simply passed by on the other side of the road and continued on their way without doing anything.
At that moment, a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, happened to be passing by.
The Samaritan treated the man's wounds, put him on his donkey, and took him to an inn, even giving the innkeeper money to look after him.
The man who was attacked by robbers was a Jew, and by right, his fellow Jews, the priests and Levites, should have come to his aid, but they did not.
There are many possible reasons why the priests and Levites did not help the man, They may have thought if they had touch a dead (or dying) man, they would be defiled. But the main reason is probably that they were not able to fully empathize with the suffering of others.
We cannot fully identify with the suffering of others.
But Jesus is able to identify himself perfectly with the suffering of others.
The Samaritan who took on the man's plight after being attacked by robbers and extended a helping hand to him is a perfect example of Jesus Christ.
Why is Jesus able to empathize with us to that extent? Why is he able to empathize so deeply with the pain and sorrow of others?
The reason for this is also given in verse 15. It is because Jesus has been “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin" (verse 15).
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was tempted just like us, even more than we are, and He endured the most severe temptations.
The suffering of a completely sinless and perfectly holy person who were put into temptation is beyond our imagination.
The Son of God, who is equal to God and was without sin, was crucified for us and at the end cried out with a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34).
I think we have experiences where we only can cry out in pain, saying, "God, why?" Even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cried out in such pain.
Therefore, Jesus Christ can completely empathize with us humans in all the suffering, sorrow, and pain that we experience.
We have received faith that such a person is our Savior and Redeemer of sins, and we continue to confess this faith in our words and actions.
Jesus Christ, the sinless God, died on the cross to atone for our sins.
And let us continue to stand in the faith that "Christ is able to empathize with our suffering in all things."
Let's read verse 16, the last verse of today's passage.
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Today's passage ends with, "Let us approach God's throne of grace with boldness (confidence)."
How come we can approach God, in His throne, with confidence?
That is because through Jesus Christ we can trust that God will never reject us.
Because we can believe that Jesus Christ is with God and is interceding for us.
Jesus has prepared the way for us to go to the place where God is, where God is seated.
Jesus is the way. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
To believe in Jesus Christ is to go to God through the way called Jesus. You can go to God through Christ, and God will never reject those who believe in Christ.
In God we can receive His mercy and grace.
It is not that we give God something in exchange for His mercy and grace.
Rather, if we simply believe in Christ, if we welcome Him into our hearts, and if we draw near to God through Christ, God will give us His mercy and grace freely.
In the face of such blessings, what could possibly make us hesitate?
Let us rest in the mercy and grace of God given to us through our great High Priest, His Son, Jesus Christ, and live our lives with joy and gratitude.
Let us be thankful for God's mercy, who accepts our pain, sorrow, and suffering as His own, and who always cries and grieves with us.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Sunday Worship Service March 2, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Isaiah 46:4 b
Hymn JBC # 493 God sent His Son
The Prayer Time
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 388 Lord, lay some soul upon my heart
Offering
Scripture 1 Timothy 1:12～17
Prayer
Sermon “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC # 673
Benediction
Postlude
Our scripture today is from the New Testament’s ‘1st Timothy.’
The Letters to Timothy (I and II) are letters believed to be written by the evangelist Paul to his protégé (disciple) Timothy.
Timothy was from a region called Galatia (located in present-day Turkey), and his mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek, according to the 16th chapter of ‘Acts.’
In 1 Timothy 1:2, we read, “To Timothy my true son in the faith.” These words indicate that Paul had a special affection for Timothy, even though he was not related to him by blood.
Even though they were not blood relatives, through the grace of Jesus Christ, Paul and Timothy were father and son (parent and child) through faith.
In the church, we too are invited into a familial relationship through faith that transcends blood relationships.
By the grace of Christ, we have been invited into fellowship with the Church. Through Christ, we have been made children of God.
What a great joy it is to be made children of God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ, through His grace, invites us into His church. Therefore let us build strong relationships as a family of faith and accept each other as we are.
Verse12 from today's passage says the following.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Here we are told, first of all, that “one is strengthened by Jesus Christ.” Paul himself has felt and experienced Christ giving him strength throughout his life as a believer.
The strength that comes from Jesus Christ is not our own strength, but the power of Christ who lives in us. It is also the love of Christ.
It is the reassurance that even though we are weak, we can be strong in any situation thanks to Christ who lives in us.
In his letter to the Philippians, the same Paul writes the following. It is a bit long, but I will quote from Philippians 4:11-13.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Everything is possible for me, Paul says, through the One (Jesus Christ) who gives him strength at all times.
This does not mean that we should put up with any unfavorable circumstances without complaints.
If someone is being treated unfairly, discriminated against, enduring prejudice, etc., then of course that situation must be corrected.
We, the church of Christ, must be close to, support, and pray for those who are being treated unfairly and are vulnerable.
However, it can happen that people suffer in situations that are not anyone's fault and that we have no control over. For example, a person may suddenly become ill or suffer an unexpected accident.
At such times, what should one rely on?
The Bible tells us that God gives us strength to live. And when we don’t have strength to walk ourselves, Christ will carry us.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 46, verses 3-4, it says
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
This is the eternal promise given to us by God. This promise, “I (God) will carry you, bear you, and deliver you,” has been fulfilled through our Savior Jesus Christ.
And Christ still bears us, carries us, and delivers us to this day.
There exists a God who walks together with us through every circumstance, and who carries us when we do not have strength to walk by ourselves, or when we fall.
Let us remember this and give thanks to God as we live our lives.
Let's go back to the first half of verse 12 again.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
Paul says that the “One who has strengthened me” is our Lord Jesus Christ.
This God who has strengthened him is not his God alone, but OUR Lord, the Lord of all humanity.
There is the idea that “faith is personal.” In a sense, that is true. God has a personal relationship with each of us.
However, faith in Jesus Christ cannot be confined to the individual believer. Jesus Christ is not only “my Lord” but also “OUR Lord.”
We pray the Lord's Prayer together in worship. In the Lord's Prayer, we say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”
By praying and declaring “Our Father who art in heaven,” we declare that Jesus Christ is our Lord.
In other words, through the Lord's Prayer, we express our faith that Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world, even of those who are not believers.
By praying, "Our Father, who art in heaven," it is revealed to us that "my Father" is actually "our Father." This transforms us, enabling us to transcend our own needs and become able to pray for others.
We all share in the joy of believing and praying that “there is a Father for us, a Father for all” in the Church.
Let us be a church where everyone feels the joy of being a member of this community of faith (family) through praying together to “Our Father”.
Let’s look at verse 15. This verse is also the title of today’s message.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Here is a truth that we simply must accept. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Jesus himself said the following while He was alive on earth. Jesus ate with those who were called sinners.
Some people asked Jesus, “Why do you eat with sinners?” Everyone, think about this for a moment. The people who asked Jesus this question do not actually consider themselves sinners.
Jesus answered them.
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
Jesus Christ came into our world to invite and to save sinners. God Himself became man and came into our world for the salvation of sinners.
The Bible also tells us that “There is no one righteous, not even one;” (Romans 3:10)
Some may hate it when the Bible condemns people for being sinners this, sinners that. But we are still forced to confront our sins when we are truly honest with ourselves.
We live while weighed down by sins that we cannot get rid of by ourselves. But the Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
The Bible tells us emphatically that there is One who takes away sin and shows us the way to a life of joy.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ, and no one is excluded from His salvation. Whether or not we believe in this salvation and walk in it is up to us.
The biblical news that there is forgiveness of sins despite us all being sinners is the most joyful news. That is our “good news”―the gospel.
Another truth that we must accept besides that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” is that “there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ.”
In the book of ‘Acts’, chapter 4, verse 12, we read Peter, who was preaching about the resurrected Jesus, said these words when he was being interrogated by the assembly.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
“Salvation is found in no one else.” Salvation cannot be obtained by anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ.
Today's passage, and the Bible as a whole, asserts that this is true and deserves to be accepted as is.
No Christian, and no real Christian church, can compromise on the point of salvation through Christ and that there is no salvation for man except through Him.
If we compromise on this in any way, it renders meaningless the death of the One who laid down His life on the cross for us.
And by compromising, we also throw away the grace that was given to us through the cross.
Nothing would grieve our Heavenly Father more than giving up the saving grace that Jesus Christ, His Son, gave us in exchange for His life.
Let us firmly grasp the salvation and eternal grace given to us by Jesus, and walk together on the path of salvation, and continue telling the world about this salvation.
Let us continue to stand on the Word of Jesus Christ, on the words of the Bible, on the Word of God, on its truth, and let us encourage one another with the Word and live out our faith.
Prelude
Call to Worship Isaiah 46:4 b
Hymn JBC # 493 God sent His Son
The Prayer Time
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 388 Lord, lay some soul upon my heart
Offering
Scripture 1 Timothy 1:12～17
Prayer
Sermon “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC # 673
Benediction
Postlude
Our scripture today is from the New Testament’s ‘1st Timothy.’
The Letters to Timothy (I and II) are letters believed to be written by the evangelist Paul to his protégé (disciple) Timothy.
Timothy was from a region called Galatia (located in present-day Turkey), and his mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek, according to the 16th chapter of ‘Acts.’
In 1 Timothy 1:2, we read, “To Timothy my true son in the faith.” These words indicate that Paul had a special affection for Timothy, even though he was not related to him by blood.
Even though they were not blood relatives, through the grace of Jesus Christ, Paul and Timothy were father and son (parent and child) through faith.
In the church, we too are invited into a familial relationship through faith that transcends blood relationships.
By the grace of Christ, we have been invited into fellowship with the Church. Through Christ, we have been made children of God.
What a great joy it is to be made children of God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ, through His grace, invites us into His church. Therefore let us build strong relationships as a family of faith and accept each other as we are.
Verse12 from today's passage says the following.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Here we are told, first of all, that “one is strengthened by Jesus Christ.” Paul himself has felt and experienced Christ giving him strength throughout his life as a believer.
The strength that comes from Jesus Christ is not our own strength, but the power of Christ who lives in us. It is also the love of Christ.
It is the reassurance that even though we are weak, we can be strong in any situation thanks to Christ who lives in us.
In his letter to the Philippians, the same Paul writes the following. It is a bit long, but I will quote from Philippians 4:11-13.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Everything is possible for me, Paul says, through the One (Jesus Christ) who gives him strength at all times.
This does not mean that we should put up with any unfavorable circumstances without complaints.
If someone is being treated unfairly, discriminated against, enduring prejudice, etc., then of course that situation must be corrected.
We, the church of Christ, must be close to, support, and pray for those who are being treated unfairly and are vulnerable.
However, it can happen that people suffer in situations that are not anyone's fault and that we have no control over. For example, a person may suddenly become ill or suffer an unexpected accident.
At such times, what should one rely on?
The Bible tells us that God gives us strength to live. And when we don’t have strength to walk ourselves, Christ will carry us.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 46, verses 3-4, it says
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
This is the eternal promise given to us by God. This promise, “I (God) will carry you, bear you, and deliver you,” has been fulfilled through our Savior Jesus Christ.
And Christ still bears us, carries us, and delivers us to this day.
There exists a God who walks together with us through every circumstance, and who carries us when we do not have strength to walk by ourselves, or when we fall.
Let us remember this and give thanks to God as we live our lives.
Let's go back to the first half of verse 12 again.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
Paul says that the “One who has strengthened me” is our Lord Jesus Christ.
This God who has strengthened him is not his God alone, but OUR Lord, the Lord of all humanity.
There is the idea that “faith is personal.” In a sense, that is true. God has a personal relationship with each of us.
However, faith in Jesus Christ cannot be confined to the individual believer. Jesus Christ is not only “my Lord” but also “OUR Lord.”
We pray the Lord's Prayer together in worship. In the Lord's Prayer, we say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”
By praying and declaring “Our Father who art in heaven,” we declare that Jesus Christ is our Lord.
In other words, through the Lord's Prayer, we express our faith that Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world, even of those who are not believers.
By praying, "Our Father, who art in heaven," it is revealed to us that "my Father" is actually "our Father." This transforms us, enabling us to transcend our own needs and become able to pray for others.
We all share in the joy of believing and praying that “there is a Father for us, a Father for all” in the Church.
Let us be a church where everyone feels the joy of being a member of this community of faith (family) through praying together to “Our Father”.
Let’s look at verse 15. This verse is also the title of today’s message.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Here is a truth that we simply must accept. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Jesus himself said the following while He was alive on earth. Jesus ate with those who were called sinners.
Some people asked Jesus, “Why do you eat with sinners?” Everyone, think about this for a moment. The people who asked Jesus this question do not actually consider themselves sinners.
Jesus answered them.
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
Jesus Christ came into our world to invite and to save sinners. God Himself became man and came into our world for the salvation of sinners.
The Bible also tells us that “There is no one righteous, not even one;” (Romans 3:10)
Some may hate it when the Bible condemns people for being sinners this, sinners that. But we are still forced to confront our sins when we are truly honest with ourselves.
We live while weighed down by sins that we cannot get rid of by ourselves. But the Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
The Bible tells us emphatically that there is One who takes away sin and shows us the way to a life of joy.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ, and no one is excluded from His salvation. Whether or not we believe in this salvation and walk in it is up to us.
The biblical news that there is forgiveness of sins despite us all being sinners is the most joyful news. That is our “good news”―the gospel.
Another truth that we must accept besides that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” is that “there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ.”
In the book of ‘Acts’, chapter 4, verse 12, we read Peter, who was preaching about the resurrected Jesus, said these words when he was being interrogated by the assembly.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
“Salvation is found in no one else.” Salvation cannot be obtained by anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ.
Today's passage, and the Bible as a whole, asserts that this is true and deserves to be accepted as is.
No Christian, and no real Christian church, can compromise on the point of salvation through Christ and that there is no salvation for man except through Him.
If we compromise on this in any way, it renders meaningless the death of the One who laid down His life on the cross for us.
And by compromising, we also throw away the grace that was given to us through the cross.
Nothing would grieve our Heavenly Father more than giving up the saving grace that Jesus Christ, His Son, gave us in exchange for His life.
Let us firmly grasp the salvation and eternal grace given to us by Jesus, and walk together on the path of salvation, and continue telling the world about this salvation.
Let us continue to stand on the Word of Jesus Christ, on the words of the Bible, on the Word of God, on its truth, and let us encourage one another with the Word and live out our faith.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Sunday Worship Service February 23, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Zephaniah 3:9
Hymn JBC #260 Set my soul afire, Lord
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn JBC #384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture 1 Thessalonians 4:13~18
Prayer
Sermon “The Lord will come”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 216 King of my life
Doxology JBC #672
Benediction
Postlude
Today's Bible passage is part of the fourth chapter of “1 Thessalonians”.
In the first half of verse 14 of chapter 4 of today's passage, it says, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again”
A Christian is one who believes that Jesus Christ was born as a man, died on the cross, and rose again.
And also a Christian is one who understands that he or she is made alive because of Christ's cross and resurrection.
Because Christ died and rose again, and because He is still alive today, we can live with hope every day.
Those who believe in Christ's resurrection and live daily by His power indeed testify to the Lord's resurrection.
As Christians and as a Christian church, we wish to testify daily that it is Christ, the Risen Lord, who truly makes us alive and gives us strength and joy.
The resurrected Christ revealed Himself to many people and then ascended into heaven. We read about this in the first chapter of the “Book of Acts”.
Jesus ascended to heaven with the promise that He would come back to earth again.
Those who witnessed the event and those who came to believe in Jesus Christ after hearing about it believed that He would return while they were still alive.
However, before Jesus returned from heaven to earth, there were people who ended their lives on earth while believing in Him.
One of the very big questions that confronted the disciples of Christ at that time was what would happen to those who believed in the Lord but left the world (died) before Jesus' return (since they were no longer on earth) when Jesus returned.
In fact, there were those who scoffed at the Christian faith and the idea of Jesus' coming again, saying
2 Peter 3:4
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
“You say that the Lord will come again, but He never comes”. “Nothing has changed in the world”. The first Christians were being thrown at by those questions, even “Is there really a God?”
However, in the same epistle of 2 Peter, chapter 3, verses 8-9, it is written as follows.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
From the human point of view, “The Lord Jesus promised that He would come again, but He never came. The promise may have been a hoax (fake). The faith in Christ itself may also be untrue. Such a doubt would come up.
But with the Lord, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Since the Lord God is eternal, we must understand His promises in terms of His eternity through faith.
Because we are finite human beings, we cannot fully understand the eternal One (God) and His plan.
However, we can believe through the Word of Bible that the Lord is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Even though we cannot fully understand God's eternity, we can live our lives believing in the eternal God and trusting in His faithfulness.
We want to live our lives always believing in the greatness of God who makes us live in eternity, and in the faithfulness of the Lord who always fulfills His promises.
We also want to remember and give thanks for the blessing of being able to walk together with other believers, believing in the eternal Lord and choosing to live our lives trusting in Him.
Paul, who wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, wrote the following in verse 15.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
Paul says here, “According to the Lord's word.” That is to say, he is not saying something he arbitrarily came up with on his own.
He says it based on the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a result of his seeking prayer.
Paul, a believer, based on what he himself has heard from his predecessors in the faith, and what has been made known to him as the Word of the Lord by revelation from the Lord God, says that “those who were called first will be resurrected, and those who are still alive will be caught up together with them to heaven. Paul is saying here.
What is being said in today's passage may seem somewhat fantastical, and it may be difficult for us to accept it as reality.
However, we are all going to end our lives on earth someday.
Therefore, I believe that it is a great blessing to have faith in the hope that “even though our life on earth has ended, we have been given resurrection life through Jesus Christ.
Even though we may not know for sure, we have been given hope through Jesus Christ that we too will be made alive to God's eternal life, which is far beyond our thoughts and ideas.
We only know of the earthly world in which we now live. On the contrary, there are so many things that we do not know even about this world that we can see.
We live in a world of instability, a world in which many things happen that we do not know where there is a sure hope.
However, when we see this world through the eyes of Jesus Christ as communicated through the Bible, when we see this world through the power of Christ's resurrection, we can find in it a certain hope and strength to live.
At the end of today's verse 17, it is written, “And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
“And so we will be with the Lord forever.” - this is a promise that will be given to us in the future and will be fully realized in the future.
But also, the promise that “We will be with the Lord forever.” is a promise that has already been fulfilled now. (This may sound contradictory, but it is.)
The Lord is invisible to our eyes, but He has given us faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us faith that the words in the Bible are the words that God still speaks to us.
By the Holy Spirit, the Lord continues to guide us to share and live the Word of the Bible as our spiritual nourishment.
By His Word, and by His Word being shared, we are shaken and given great encouragement and joy.
In this sense, we can say that the promise that the Lord will be with us forever is a promise that has already been fulfilled.
The following is written in verse 18. the last verse of today' chapter.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
These words that were mentioned are words spoken by Paul, a believer, based on the Word of the Lord.
In other words, they are words that the Lord's words were spoken in another language and sayings through the life of one believer.
Thus, we are assured that even through the words of another believer, the Word of the Lord God is indeed what keeps us alive and gives us strength.
At a recent our worship service, two sisters and a brother gave testimonies and a message. I was unable to hear them in person because I attended a service at another church that day.
However, I was able to read their testimonies and message in advance through manuscripts.
I read the manuscripts, imagining how they would sound when they were actually delivered by voice.
In those testimonies and message the Lord's words were indeed spoken through the life of faith of each person who delivered them.
And with the guidance of the Holy Spirit beyond our thoughts, I believe that the words of each person who spoke them ultimately became one and became the grace of the entire service that day.
Our Lord God desired that His Word be preached to the world through the way of living and words of the faithful.
We have been made Christians and we have been established as one church so that we may preach the gospel to the world and so that we may be kept alive by the word of the Lord spoken to us by one another.
Let us continue to live our life of faith together, encouraging one another by the word of the Lord.
We hope to serve Christ's gospel missionary work, being kept alive by the sure hope of the Lord's resurrection.
Prelude
Call to Worship Zephaniah 3:9
Hymn JBC #260 Set my soul afire, Lord
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn JBC #384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture 1 Thessalonians 4:13~18
Prayer
Sermon “The Lord will come”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 216 King of my life
Doxology JBC #672
Benediction
Postlude
Today's Bible passage is part of the fourth chapter of “1 Thessalonians”.
In the first half of verse 14 of chapter 4 of today's passage, it says, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again”
A Christian is one who believes that Jesus Christ was born as a man, died on the cross, and rose again.
And also a Christian is one who understands that he or she is made alive because of Christ's cross and resurrection.
Because Christ died and rose again, and because He is still alive today, we can live with hope every day.
Those who believe in Christ's resurrection and live daily by His power indeed testify to the Lord's resurrection.
As Christians and as a Christian church, we wish to testify daily that it is Christ, the Risen Lord, who truly makes us alive and gives us strength and joy.
The resurrected Christ revealed Himself to many people and then ascended into heaven. We read about this in the first chapter of the “Book of Acts”.
Jesus ascended to heaven with the promise that He would come back to earth again.
Those who witnessed the event and those who came to believe in Jesus Christ after hearing about it believed that He would return while they were still alive.
However, before Jesus returned from heaven to earth, there were people who ended their lives on earth while believing in Him.
One of the very big questions that confronted the disciples of Christ at that time was what would happen to those who believed in the Lord but left the world (died) before Jesus' return (since they were no longer on earth) when Jesus returned.
In fact, there were those who scoffed at the Christian faith and the idea of Jesus' coming again, saying
2 Peter 3:4
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
“You say that the Lord will come again, but He never comes”. “Nothing has changed in the world”. The first Christians were being thrown at by those questions, even “Is there really a God?”
However, in the same epistle of 2 Peter, chapter 3, verses 8-9, it is written as follows.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
From the human point of view, “The Lord Jesus promised that He would come again, but He never came. The promise may have been a hoax (fake). The faith in Christ itself may also be untrue. Such a doubt would come up.
But with the Lord, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Since the Lord God is eternal, we must understand His promises in terms of His eternity through faith.
Because we are finite human beings, we cannot fully understand the eternal One (God) and His plan.
However, we can believe through the Word of Bible that the Lord is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Even though we cannot fully understand God's eternity, we can live our lives believing in the eternal God and trusting in His faithfulness.
We want to live our lives always believing in the greatness of God who makes us live in eternity, and in the faithfulness of the Lord who always fulfills His promises.
We also want to remember and give thanks for the blessing of being able to walk together with other believers, believing in the eternal Lord and choosing to live our lives trusting in Him.
Paul, who wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, wrote the following in verse 15.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
Paul says here, “According to the Lord's word.” That is to say, he is not saying something he arbitrarily came up with on his own.
He says it based on the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a result of his seeking prayer.
Paul, a believer, based on what he himself has heard from his predecessors in the faith, and what has been made known to him as the Word of the Lord by revelation from the Lord God, says that “those who were called first will be resurrected, and those who are still alive will be caught up together with them to heaven. Paul is saying here.
What is being said in today's passage may seem somewhat fantastical, and it may be difficult for us to accept it as reality.
However, we are all going to end our lives on earth someday.
Therefore, I believe that it is a great blessing to have faith in the hope that “even though our life on earth has ended, we have been given resurrection life through Jesus Christ.
Even though we may not know for sure, we have been given hope through Jesus Christ that we too will be made alive to God's eternal life, which is far beyond our thoughts and ideas.
We only know of the earthly world in which we now live. On the contrary, there are so many things that we do not know even about this world that we can see.
We live in a world of instability, a world in which many things happen that we do not know where there is a sure hope.
However, when we see this world through the eyes of Jesus Christ as communicated through the Bible, when we see this world through the power of Christ's resurrection, we can find in it a certain hope and strength to live.
At the end of today's verse 17, it is written, “And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
“And so we will be with the Lord forever.” - this is a promise that will be given to us in the future and will be fully realized in the future.
But also, the promise that “We will be with the Lord forever.” is a promise that has already been fulfilled now. (This may sound contradictory, but it is.)
The Lord is invisible to our eyes, but He has given us faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us faith that the words in the Bible are the words that God still speaks to us.
By the Holy Spirit, the Lord continues to guide us to share and live the Word of the Bible as our spiritual nourishment.
By His Word, and by His Word being shared, we are shaken and given great encouragement and joy.
In this sense, we can say that the promise that the Lord will be with us forever is a promise that has already been fulfilled.
The following is written in verse 18. the last verse of today' chapter.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
These words that were mentioned are words spoken by Paul, a believer, based on the Word of the Lord.
In other words, they are words that the Lord's words were spoken in another language and sayings through the life of one believer.
Thus, we are assured that even through the words of another believer, the Word of the Lord God is indeed what keeps us alive and gives us strength.
At a recent our worship service, two sisters and a brother gave testimonies and a message. I was unable to hear them in person because I attended a service at another church that day.
However, I was able to read their testimonies and message in advance through manuscripts.
I read the manuscripts, imagining how they would sound when they were actually delivered by voice.
In those testimonies and message the Lord's words were indeed spoken through the life of faith of each person who delivered them.
And with the guidance of the Holy Spirit beyond our thoughts, I believe that the words of each person who spoke them ultimately became one and became the grace of the entire service that day.
Our Lord God desired that His Word be preached to the world through the way of living and words of the faithful.
We have been made Christians and we have been established as one church so that we may preach the gospel to the world and so that we may be kept alive by the word of the Lord spoken to us by one another.
Let us continue to live our life of faith together, encouraging one another by the word of the Lord.
We hope to serve Christ's gospel missionary work, being kept alive by the sure hope of the Lord's resurrection.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Sunday Worship Service February 16, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Joshua 23:14
Hymn JBC # 124 This is my Father's world
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture Colossians 3:12～17
Prayer
Sermon “The Peace of Christ”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 330 Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Today’s Bible passage is from “the letter to Colossians Ch. 3” that we just read.
The key term of this passage, and of today’s message title too is “the peace of Christ.”
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has given us immeasurable grace.
One form of Christ’s grace is “peace.” I think that we all understand that peace is precious (no one is against peace).
If everyone desires peace, then why are the world and the things around us constantly in situations that are not peaceful (wars and other major/minor conflicts)?
We are often pushed toward despair feeling from hearing about precious lives being lost through atrocious crimes and tragedies of war reported daily in the news.
We may want to give up and say that “peace is nothing but wishful thinking.”
However, in the words of the bible, and in Jesus Christ told through the bible, we have a message of hope that “peace is here and it is never lost.”
How has Jesus given us peace? Colossians 1:19-20 (same letter to Colossians as today’s passage) says the following:
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
It states clearly here that “God made peace through his son’s (Jesus Christ’s) blood, shed on the cross.”
Therefore, even when in our eyes it seems as if peace has not been achieved, if we look at what Jesus Christ has done on the cross, we know that God has already succeeded in making peace.
Christ’s blood on the cross (in other words, His death), was an event of grace that we human can reconcile with God.
We were made by God to have our joy in our bountiful relationship with Him in His glory.
However, we fell to sin and separated ourselves from God. Biblical sin began because we disobeyed God and separated ourselves from Him, desiring to live a self-centered life.
And we were made to be in relationship with God, but when we separated ourselves from God to live for ourselves, we also distanced ourselves from true peace.
We can be nourished by God’s words and God’s wisdom and live spiritually rich lives, but when we depend on things other than God, we cannot find true peace there.
Now we want us to have a conviction and trust in the bible’s message that through Jesus Christ’s deed on the cross, God has made peace for us.
Through Christ’s cross, God invites us to true peace. We believe that in Christ there is true peace.
In verse 15 of today’s passage, it says the following:
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Today’s passage tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. It also states that we are invited into one body to receive this peace (the peace of Christ).
The one body it is mentioning here is the church. It is the Christian church. Why are we to connect to the church? It is because by becoming a part of the body (a member of the church), we can receive the peace of Christ as our own.
Because we believe in Jesus Christ of the cross, and we believe the peace that has been made through the cross of Christ, then we connect to the church, become a part of it and live out our faith together to receive that peace.
God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us. Through this love of Jesus, we can understand just how special we are.
When we understand how special and precious we are through Christ and His love, it changes us into people who love others and not just ourselves.
The bible teaches us that when we give thanks to God for the fact that Christ forgave our sin, reconciled us with God, and made it possible for us to live in peace with God again, it makes it possible for us to have hearts of love and forgiveness for others.
The church, which is the body of Christ, is where the love and peace of Christ is practiced.
When I look back to when I was accepted into the church and became a member, I must acknowledge that God’s love, forgiveness, generosity, and patience were shown to me through the people in the church.
When I first went to church, I was quite rude and curt to everyone, because I felt a lot of antagonism toward Christianity.
The woman I was dating with at the time (now my wife) strongly recommended I attend church, so I reluctantly started attending worship. Putting it nicely, I was very honest so that I was unable to hide my antagonism, and it probably showed in my behavior quite clearly.
The church I first attended together with my wife when she invited me was a church in America where we were studying. Years later (after I became a Christian), the pastor at that time told me, “When you first came to the church, you were so blunt that I actually gave up on you.”
However, it was the other brothers and sisters at that church who truly welcomed me. Both at the church in America, and at the church I attended when I returned to Japan, I was shown tolerance, patience, and forgiveness through the brothers and sisters who accepted me.
In America there were people of church who invited me into their home to patiently teach me about the bible.
In the church in Nagoya, there was a person who, right in front of me, prayed for me so earnestly that “God, may you please tell him Jesus in a way that he could understand”, even though I was such an impertinent young man.
In these churches that I was led to, I have seen brothers and sisters who were surely making the love and forgiveness of Christ their own, then practicing to share it with others.
Today I cannot go without giving thanks to God and those brothers and sisters for all those things.
Even if I reflect on those people’s faith now, I can see that they first truly understood that they were loved by Jesus.
Because they were convinced that they were loved by Jesus Christ and that they were given a rich life through Christ, it was natural for that love to overflow from them to other people.
It was also those brothers and sisters at my home church who, in love and conviction, prayerfully sent me out from their flock to devote myself (so that I could follow the path of becoming a pastor).
And now all of you brothers and sisters here at Beppu International Church allow me to continue to be here as the spiritual leader of this church, even though I have so many flaws and shortcomings.
The reason the church can let another person become the spiritual leader of the flock is because they trust in the Lord and have faith that His love and forgiveness is shared in the church. Otherwise, such a thing would not be possible.
When people who believe in the love of God that was shown through the cross of Jesus Christ and are bound together spiritually, that is what forms the church.
Let us continue to work together as the body of Christ, building each other up in Christ’s peace, being bound together by His words, and holding each other as precious in love and forgiveness.
Let’s read verse 17, the final verse in today’s passage.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Those who receive God’s incredible, extravagant grace, love, and forgiveness are also given a befitting responsibility. That responsibility is also a privilege.
That is that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we are to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
In other words, we are ambassadors of Christ who He sent out to be representatives of His name.
This means that every word that we speak as Christians are words that we speak as Christ’s representatives. Every action that we take as Christians are actions we do as representatives of Christ.
This is a frightening reality because many of the words we say and actions we do are not what we would expect of a representative of Jesus Christ.
However, whatever we may think, our heavenly God through the faith in Christ is giving that great privilege (and simultaneously great responsibility) to us.
This is how great God’s expectations are for us.
When we, as those who are loved and forgiven by Christ, live out our lives here on earth, we are representing Christ every day.
“What would Jesus say in this type of situation?”, “What would Jesus do at times like this?” As we reflect on these types of questions, we can try to live with Jesus Christ as our guideline and leader.
May the peace of Christ our Savior rule our hearts and may Christ’s love and forgiveness spread to the world through us.
Through us may the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be praised more and more. Let us remember the great grace and what an honor it is to be able to live serving Christ, and offer our thanks.
Prelude
Call to Worship Joshua 23:14
Hymn JBC # 124 This is my Father's world
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture Colossians 3:12～17
Prayer
Sermon “The Peace of Christ”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 330 Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Today’s Bible passage is from “the letter to Colossians Ch. 3” that we just read.
The key term of this passage, and of today’s message title too is “the peace of Christ.”
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has given us immeasurable grace.
One form of Christ’s grace is “peace.” I think that we all understand that peace is precious (no one is against peace).
If everyone desires peace, then why are the world and the things around us constantly in situations that are not peaceful (wars and other major/minor conflicts)?
We are often pushed toward despair feeling from hearing about precious lives being lost through atrocious crimes and tragedies of war reported daily in the news.
We may want to give up and say that “peace is nothing but wishful thinking.”
However, in the words of the bible, and in Jesus Christ told through the bible, we have a message of hope that “peace is here and it is never lost.”
How has Jesus given us peace? Colossians 1:19-20 (same letter to Colossians as today’s passage) says the following:
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
It states clearly here that “God made peace through his son’s (Jesus Christ’s) blood, shed on the cross.”
Therefore, even when in our eyes it seems as if peace has not been achieved, if we look at what Jesus Christ has done on the cross, we know that God has already succeeded in making peace.
Christ’s blood on the cross (in other words, His death), was an event of grace that we human can reconcile with God.
We were made by God to have our joy in our bountiful relationship with Him in His glory.
However, we fell to sin and separated ourselves from God. Biblical sin began because we disobeyed God and separated ourselves from Him, desiring to live a self-centered life.
And we were made to be in relationship with God, but when we separated ourselves from God to live for ourselves, we also distanced ourselves from true peace.
We can be nourished by God’s words and God’s wisdom and live spiritually rich lives, but when we depend on things other than God, we cannot find true peace there.
Now we want us to have a conviction and trust in the bible’s message that through Jesus Christ’s deed on the cross, God has made peace for us.
Through Christ’s cross, God invites us to true peace. We believe that in Christ there is true peace.
In verse 15 of today’s passage, it says the following:
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Today’s passage tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. It also states that we are invited into one body to receive this peace (the peace of Christ).
The one body it is mentioning here is the church. It is the Christian church. Why are we to connect to the church? It is because by becoming a part of the body (a member of the church), we can receive the peace of Christ as our own.
Because we believe in Jesus Christ of the cross, and we believe the peace that has been made through the cross of Christ, then we connect to the church, become a part of it and live out our faith together to receive that peace.
God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us. Through this love of Jesus, we can understand just how special we are.
When we understand how special and precious we are through Christ and His love, it changes us into people who love others and not just ourselves.
The bible teaches us that when we give thanks to God for the fact that Christ forgave our sin, reconciled us with God, and made it possible for us to live in peace with God again, it makes it possible for us to have hearts of love and forgiveness for others.
The church, which is the body of Christ, is where the love and peace of Christ is practiced.
When I look back to when I was accepted into the church and became a member, I must acknowledge that God’s love, forgiveness, generosity, and patience were shown to me through the people in the church.
When I first went to church, I was quite rude and curt to everyone, because I felt a lot of antagonism toward Christianity.
The woman I was dating with at the time (now my wife) strongly recommended I attend church, so I reluctantly started attending worship. Putting it nicely, I was very honest so that I was unable to hide my antagonism, and it probably showed in my behavior quite clearly.
The church I first attended together with my wife when she invited me was a church in America where we were studying. Years later (after I became a Christian), the pastor at that time told me, “When you first came to the church, you were so blunt that I actually gave up on you.”
However, it was the other brothers and sisters at that church who truly welcomed me. Both at the church in America, and at the church I attended when I returned to Japan, I was shown tolerance, patience, and forgiveness through the brothers and sisters who accepted me.
In America there were people of church who invited me into their home to patiently teach me about the bible.
In the church in Nagoya, there was a person who, right in front of me, prayed for me so earnestly that “God, may you please tell him Jesus in a way that he could understand”, even though I was such an impertinent young man.
In these churches that I was led to, I have seen brothers and sisters who were surely making the love and forgiveness of Christ their own, then practicing to share it with others.
Today I cannot go without giving thanks to God and those brothers and sisters for all those things.
Even if I reflect on those people’s faith now, I can see that they first truly understood that they were loved by Jesus.
Because they were convinced that they were loved by Jesus Christ and that they were given a rich life through Christ, it was natural for that love to overflow from them to other people.
It was also those brothers and sisters at my home church who, in love and conviction, prayerfully sent me out from their flock to devote myself (so that I could follow the path of becoming a pastor).
And now all of you brothers and sisters here at Beppu International Church allow me to continue to be here as the spiritual leader of this church, even though I have so many flaws and shortcomings.
The reason the church can let another person become the spiritual leader of the flock is because they trust in the Lord and have faith that His love and forgiveness is shared in the church. Otherwise, such a thing would not be possible.
When people who believe in the love of God that was shown through the cross of Jesus Christ and are bound together spiritually, that is what forms the church.
Let us continue to work together as the body of Christ, building each other up in Christ’s peace, being bound together by His words, and holding each other as precious in love and forgiveness.
Let’s read verse 17, the final verse in today’s passage.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Those who receive God’s incredible, extravagant grace, love, and forgiveness are also given a befitting responsibility. That responsibility is also a privilege.
That is that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we are to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
In other words, we are ambassadors of Christ who He sent out to be representatives of His name.
This means that every word that we speak as Christians are words that we speak as Christ’s representatives. Every action that we take as Christians are actions we do as representatives of Christ.
This is a frightening reality because many of the words we say and actions we do are not what we would expect of a representative of Jesus Christ.
However, whatever we may think, our heavenly God through the faith in Christ is giving that great privilege (and simultaneously great responsibility) to us.
This is how great God’s expectations are for us.
When we, as those who are loved and forgiven by Christ, live out our lives here on earth, we are representing Christ every day.
“What would Jesus say in this type of situation?”, “What would Jesus do at times like this?” As we reflect on these types of questions, we can try to live with Jesus Christ as our guideline and leader.
May the peace of Christ our Savior rule our hearts and may Christ’s love and forgiveness spread to the world through us.
Through us may the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be praised more and more. Let us remember the great grace and what an honor it is to be able to live serving Christ, and offer our thanks.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Sunday Worship Service February 2, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Exodus 29:45～46
Hymn JBC #102 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
The Prayer Time
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture Ephesians 3:14～20
Prayer
Sermon “Christ dwells in our hearts”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 94 We are called to be God’s people
Doxology JBC #672
Benediction
Postlude
Today's passage (Ephesians 3:14–20) begins with the words, "For this reason I kneel before the Father."
The author of this letter, Paul, states that he kneels before the Father, that is, God, in prayer.
In the following verse 15, Paul writes, " from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name."
These two verses reveal how profoundly Paul was transformed before and after coming to faith in Christ.
Before encountering the risen Jesus Christ and becoming a follower of Christ, Paul was a devout Jew, known for his zeal, as recognized by both himself and others.
As we have shared several times in our recent worship messages, Paul fiercely persecuted those who believed in Christ before his conversion.
How was he transformed, and how is this revealed in the words of the first two verses of today's passage?
Firstly, at that time, standing was the usual posture for prayer in Judaism.
In Luke 18:9-14, there is a parable titled "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector."
The Pharisee, known for strictly observing the laws of Scripture, “stood” and prayed in his heart as follows.
"God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." (Luke 18:11-12)
On the other hand, the tax collector “(he too “stood”) at a distance, not even willing to lift his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his chest and said the following.
"God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Jesus said, “It was the tax collector who was justified (found righteous by God) and went home, not the Pharisee.
There, both Pharisee and tax collector “stood” and prayed.
Paul was so rigorously educated in Judaism that he studied under a scribe (teacher of the laws).
Therefore, I imagine that Paul too, before believing in Jesus, must have “stood up” (proud in his heart as well) and prayed like the Pharisee we have just read about in the Gospel of Luke.
But Paul, having met Jesus Christ and having been transformed by Him, is now a man who kneels before God in prayer.
To encounter Christ is to be informed that “there is nothing in myself that I can boast of with confidence before God.“
Knowing that we have nothing to boast about before God, and like the tax collector in Jesus' story, who could only say, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” and ask for God's mercy and forgiveness, isn’t that the true prayer we can offer to God?
And, I believe that the attitude of kneeling in prayer also expresses humility before God and gratitude, “I am not qualified to ask or pray to you, but by the grace of Christ, I am permitted to pray to you.”
By believing in Christ, Paul was transformed into one who prays with such a humble heart, and such his broken heart was accepted by God.
The words in verse 15, “from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” also indicate a significant change that has occurred in Paul's faith.
At the time, the people of Israel believed that God's salvation was available only to the Jews.
From that viewpoint, the idea that “every family in heaven and on earth derives (has been given) his name [the name of Jesus Christ]” is a great change.
It was a faith that was clearly demonstrated through Jesus that God saves not only Jews, but anyone who repents of their sins and seeks to turn to God, Jews or not.
The faith that “I am saved in the name of Jesus Christ. And that salvation through the name of Jesus Christ is available not only to the Jews but also to all people, to all nations, and to all who believe” greatly changed Paul from what he had been before that.
The faith that God's salvation was given to this sinful me, and that God's salvation is given to all peoples other than me, other than the Jews, made Paul an evangelist to the Gentiles (foreigners) other than the Jews.
We, too, as forgiven sinners, wish to humble ourselves before God (whether or not we actually kneel in prayer), and with broken hearts, we would like to be the one who prays fervently, with gratitude for our salvation, for other people as well as ourselves,
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was as follows. (verses 16-17)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
We are truly strengthened when our “inner being” is strengthened by the Spirit of God.
I think it is well to say that the “strengthened inner being” is “spiritual new life given to the heart and soul of a person through a spiritual relationship with God, regardless of outward strength, beauty, or outward appearance of faith”.
We become truly strong only through our relationship with the true God. It is not through our own experiences or self-discipline that we gain strength.
We are strengthened by being nourished through God's Word, conversing with Him always in prayer, and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then, through faith in God, He causes Christ to dwell in our hearts and firmly establishes us upon the foundation of Christ’s love.
Even though I am weak, God’s strength and Christ’s love uphold me from beneath, even when I lack love. This unshakable foundation in Christ’s love is the peace given to believers.
Paul prays that “the Father: God, through faith, may cause Christ to dwell in your hearts”.
The prayer here is for Christ to “dwell” in our hearts. The word "dwell" does not mean a temporary stay but rather a permanent residence.
Here, it means that Christ may permanently dwell in your hearts, making His home within you.
And, "through faith” Christ may dwell" means that God does not forcibly open our hearts or compel Christ to reside within us.
No so, but it means that we respond to God's calling, willingly open the door of our hearts by our own decision, and receive Christ into our hearts. That is the meaning of "through faith."
To be a Christian means to respond to God's calling and invitation, allowing Jesus Christ to dwell in our hearts permanently.
Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts through faith not only when we come to church and worship but also as we go about our daily lives outside the church.
As long as we open our hearts and welcome Jesus, He will always dwell within us and establish us upon His love.
May we never let go of this faith, but by humbling ourselves before God, and we wish continually to pray together that Christ may always dwell in our hearts.
And, since Christ always dwells in our hearts, let us walk each day without fear and without losing love, holding firm to this assurance.
Let’s read verses 18-19.
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
The width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love are so great that we cannot fully comprehend them.
However, the greatness of God's love is undeniable, and it is clearly revealed in the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified and died for us.
And the fact that the salvation brought by Christ’s cross continues to sustain us with great hope and joy assures us that "God’s great love is (even though we cannot fully understand it) certainly real."
We "together" come to know such love of God, "together" partake in His overflowing fullness, and "together" are filled with His love.
Paul, in today’s passage, is praying for the believers in the Ephesian church, addressing "you" (plural). He is not praying only for one individual.
The love and salvation of Jesus Christ are shared first within the fellowship of the church, among believers who share faith in the same God.
As the church, the body of Christ, may the prayer "that we may be filled together with God's overflowing love" become our shared and united prayer among one another.
I believe that the grace of God's love filling us together, of God's love being shared, is truly a gracious privilege given only to the Church.
In today's verse 20, Paul describes God as "the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
Our God is the one who hears our prayers and desires through Jesus Christ.
And God is the one who, "according to his power that is at work within us," is able to fulfill far beyond what we pray for, seek, or imagine.
The One to whom we now offer our worship is the One who works His divine power in us (human beings) and through it accomplishes works far greater than we can ever hope or think.
Through Jesus Christ, we are made known the true God who is so great and so loving that He gave the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation.
And each of us, and our church, as the body of Jesus Christ, is also to be used as a vessel through which such great divine power can work within it.
Such a precious and surprising work is entrusted to us, the believers in Christ, and to the Church. What an honor and what a work that brings us strength and joy.
Let us therefore walk, day by day, for God's power to be increasingly manifested and for all glory to be returned to Him.
Prelude
Call to Worship Exodus 29:45～46
Hymn JBC #102 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
The Prayer Time
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 384 I love to tell the story
Offering
Scripture Ephesians 3:14～20
Prayer
Sermon “Christ dwells in our hearts”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 94 We are called to be God’s people
Doxology JBC #672
Benediction
Postlude
Today's passage (Ephesians 3:14–20) begins with the words, "For this reason I kneel before the Father."
The author of this letter, Paul, states that he kneels before the Father, that is, God, in prayer.
In the following verse 15, Paul writes, " from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name."
These two verses reveal how profoundly Paul was transformed before and after coming to faith in Christ.
Before encountering the risen Jesus Christ and becoming a follower of Christ, Paul was a devout Jew, known for his zeal, as recognized by both himself and others.
As we have shared several times in our recent worship messages, Paul fiercely persecuted those who believed in Christ before his conversion.
How was he transformed, and how is this revealed in the words of the first two verses of today's passage?
Firstly, at that time, standing was the usual posture for prayer in Judaism.
In Luke 18:9-14, there is a parable titled "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector."
The Pharisee, known for strictly observing the laws of Scripture, “stood” and prayed in his heart as follows.
"God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." (Luke 18:11-12)
On the other hand, the tax collector “(he too “stood”) at a distance, not even willing to lift his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his chest and said the following.
"God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Jesus said, “It was the tax collector who was justified (found righteous by God) and went home, not the Pharisee.
There, both Pharisee and tax collector “stood” and prayed.
Paul was so rigorously educated in Judaism that he studied under a scribe (teacher of the laws).
Therefore, I imagine that Paul too, before believing in Jesus, must have “stood up” (proud in his heart as well) and prayed like the Pharisee we have just read about in the Gospel of Luke.
But Paul, having met Jesus Christ and having been transformed by Him, is now a man who kneels before God in prayer.
To encounter Christ is to be informed that “there is nothing in myself that I can boast of with confidence before God.“
Knowing that we have nothing to boast about before God, and like the tax collector in Jesus' story, who could only say, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” and ask for God's mercy and forgiveness, isn’t that the true prayer we can offer to God?
And, I believe that the attitude of kneeling in prayer also expresses humility before God and gratitude, “I am not qualified to ask or pray to you, but by the grace of Christ, I am permitted to pray to you.”
By believing in Christ, Paul was transformed into one who prays with such a humble heart, and such his broken heart was accepted by God.
The words in verse 15, “from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” also indicate a significant change that has occurred in Paul's faith.
At the time, the people of Israel believed that God's salvation was available only to the Jews.
From that viewpoint, the idea that “every family in heaven and on earth derives (has been given) his name [the name of Jesus Christ]” is a great change.
It was a faith that was clearly demonstrated through Jesus that God saves not only Jews, but anyone who repents of their sins and seeks to turn to God, Jews or not.
The faith that “I am saved in the name of Jesus Christ. And that salvation through the name of Jesus Christ is available not only to the Jews but also to all people, to all nations, and to all who believe” greatly changed Paul from what he had been before that.
The faith that God's salvation was given to this sinful me, and that God's salvation is given to all peoples other than me, other than the Jews, made Paul an evangelist to the Gentiles (foreigners) other than the Jews.
We, too, as forgiven sinners, wish to humble ourselves before God (whether or not we actually kneel in prayer), and with broken hearts, we would like to be the one who prays fervently, with gratitude for our salvation, for other people as well as ourselves,
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was as follows. (verses 16-17)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
We are truly strengthened when our “inner being” is strengthened by the Spirit of God.
I think it is well to say that the “strengthened inner being” is “spiritual new life given to the heart and soul of a person through a spiritual relationship with God, regardless of outward strength, beauty, or outward appearance of faith”.
We become truly strong only through our relationship with the true God. It is not through our own experiences or self-discipline that we gain strength.
We are strengthened by being nourished through God's Word, conversing with Him always in prayer, and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then, through faith in God, He causes Christ to dwell in our hearts and firmly establishes us upon the foundation of Christ’s love.
Even though I am weak, God’s strength and Christ’s love uphold me from beneath, even when I lack love. This unshakable foundation in Christ’s love is the peace given to believers.
Paul prays that “the Father: God, through faith, may cause Christ to dwell in your hearts”.
The prayer here is for Christ to “dwell” in our hearts. The word "dwell" does not mean a temporary stay but rather a permanent residence.
Here, it means that Christ may permanently dwell in your hearts, making His home within you.
And, "through faith” Christ may dwell" means that God does not forcibly open our hearts or compel Christ to reside within us.
No so, but it means that we respond to God's calling, willingly open the door of our hearts by our own decision, and receive Christ into our hearts. That is the meaning of "through faith."
To be a Christian means to respond to God's calling and invitation, allowing Jesus Christ to dwell in our hearts permanently.
Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts through faith not only when we come to church and worship but also as we go about our daily lives outside the church.
As long as we open our hearts and welcome Jesus, He will always dwell within us and establish us upon His love.
May we never let go of this faith, but by humbling ourselves before God, and we wish continually to pray together that Christ may always dwell in our hearts.
And, since Christ always dwells in our hearts, let us walk each day without fear and without losing love, holding firm to this assurance.
Let’s read verses 18-19.
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
The width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love are so great that we cannot fully comprehend them.
However, the greatness of God's love is undeniable, and it is clearly revealed in the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified and died for us.
And the fact that the salvation brought by Christ’s cross continues to sustain us with great hope and joy assures us that "God’s great love is (even though we cannot fully understand it) certainly real."
We "together" come to know such love of God, "together" partake in His overflowing fullness, and "together" are filled with His love.
Paul, in today’s passage, is praying for the believers in the Ephesian church, addressing "you" (plural). He is not praying only for one individual.
The love and salvation of Jesus Christ are shared first within the fellowship of the church, among believers who share faith in the same God.
As the church, the body of Christ, may the prayer "that we may be filled together with God's overflowing love" become our shared and united prayer among one another.
I believe that the grace of God's love filling us together, of God's love being shared, is truly a gracious privilege given only to the Church.
In today's verse 20, Paul describes God as "the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
Our God is the one who hears our prayers and desires through Jesus Christ.
And God is the one who, "according to his power that is at work within us," is able to fulfill far beyond what we pray for, seek, or imagine.
The One to whom we now offer our worship is the One who works His divine power in us (human beings) and through it accomplishes works far greater than we can ever hope or think.
Through Jesus Christ, we are made known the true God who is so great and so loving that He gave the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation.
And each of us, and our church, as the body of Jesus Christ, is also to be used as a vessel through which such great divine power can work within it.
Such a precious and surprising work is entrusted to us, the believers in Christ, and to the Church. What an honor and what a work that brings us strength and joy.
Let us therefore walk, day by day, for God's power to be increasingly manifested and for all glory to be returned to Him.
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Sunday Worship Service January 26, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 62:8
Hymn JBC # 125 All Creatures of our God and King
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn JBC # 261 Dear Spirit, lead me to the Saviour’s side
Offering
Scripture Galatians 1:6～10
Prayer
Sermon “There is No Other Gospel”
Prayer
Hymn JBC #492 My hope is built on nothing less
Doxology JBC # 671
Benediction
Postlude
The Christian faith, that is, the faith that believes in Jesus Christ as God and Savior, is given to us as "grace."
God has invited us to live in the grace of Christ. Our faith in Christ began with "God's invitation to us."
It's a free invitation. It is not something that we have attained through our own efforts or wisdom.
We may receive various invitations from people in our daily lives. Sometimes we receive invitations to weddings or other events.
When we receive such invitation, we will then decide whether we will accept the invitation and attend or not.
When we receive an invitation, it means that the recipient of the invitation (guest) is seen by the inviter (host) as "I want this person to participate" or "This person is the right person to participate."
The inviter (host) chooses who to invite based on some thoughts and conditions, so to speak.
At the inauguration ceremony of the President of the United States held last week, it seems that invitations were sent to some foreign dignitaries in positions that are not usually invited according to diplomatic customs, and it was unusual and made the news.
Invitations to such political events may be accompanied by a strategic idea with an eye on future profits.
I think we were often told by people to "choose the friends you hang out with". I think I have said to myself (I don't think I said it that explicitly) and also to my own children things like “Choose good friends and hang out with them" , "Don't be friends with bad people".
I do hope that friendship between people should be pure bonds, but when I look into my own heart, I think to myself that I probably choose even friends based on calculating profit and loss.
Then, how does God choose people and invite them to believe in Him as God, to the path of grace in Jesus Christ?
Will those who are worthy, excellent, religious, and pious in God's eyes (or in the eyes of others) be chosen, and only they are invited to become Christians who believe in God (or in Jesus Christ)?
This is not the case. The more Christians deepen their faith, that is, the more they have trust and gratitude to God, the more they are made aware that "I am not worthy of God's grace at all, and I have been chosen by God to be saved."
Paul, who wrote the Epistle to the Galatians, which is today's scripture, also says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst. " (1 Timothy 1:15)
As Christians, we can say that we can truly know God's grace by whether or not the words, "I am the worst sinner" have become our own words.
Gratitude and humility to say that God's forgiveness and grace have been given to me, the worst of sinners, must accompany our faith in Christ.
At the beginning of today's passage, it says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel"
The background to this writing is a problem and event that occurred between Paul, who wrote this epistle, and the church in Galatia, to whom this letter was addressed.
In the past, Paul's evangelism led to the establishment of a Christian church in the region of Galatia.
However, after Paul left Galatia, it is said that other people came there and preached a "different gospel" that was different from the one Paul preached. They were the so-called "Judaizers".
"Judaizers" were Jewish Christians. But they were the ones who insisted that "in order for a non-Jewish Gentile to become a Christian, he must first convert to Judaism and then obey the Jewish laws."
To believe in Christ is to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ, the One whom God has become man, and to return to Him.
God revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, through Jesus Christ, we can know "who God is."
Christ's invitation is unconditional. If we dare to say that there is a condition, it is only that we accept the invitation. All we have to do is open our hearts and let Jesus come into our hearts.
But it’s true that it may also be difficult to just open our hearts and ask Jesus to come, and give thanks for God's unconditional grace.
This is because it is difficult for us to open our hearts and welcome Jesus to be at the center of our hearts.
Because at the heart of us sits our stubborn (and arrogant) selves who are unable to surrender their place, even to the Savior.
And even if we believe and accept the gospel of Christ once, we can let go of that faith and leave it after a while.
Such things happen when something else comes into our hearts, things other than pure trust and faith in Christ.
The Judaizers considered "the observance of the Jewish law" to be the condition of faith and salvation.
In a way, they were serious and enthusiastic people, we can say.
For us Christians today, this would apply to "attending worship services," "making offerings," and "serving."
And the idea that if you don't do these things properly, you can't become (you are not) a Christian, is modern Judaizers, so to speak.
But it's the other way around. If we know the gratuitous grace of Christ and receive that grace with gratitude and repentance, it will show itself in the practice of a life of faith. (Not the other way around.)
In his sermon, the pastor of my home church would sometimes share these words of a Buddhist monk.
"Arranging shoes is not faith, but faith is arranging shoes."
Last year, our sister S testified that she was impressed by the way her sister's friend, Christian, silently arranged everyone's shoes at the wedding.
The basis of the act and appearance of silently arranging others’ shoes (not showing it off loudly) was the person's faith in Jesus.
Therefore, I believe that her action (the natural way of living her faith) touched Sister S's heart and remained in her memory for a long time.
Jesus said to His disciples:
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:27)
Jesus said “But I am among you as one who serves.” And Jesus lived according to His words.
Jesus was equal to God, but He made Himself extremely low. He even became a servant to others at the dinner table.
Then, He died on the cross, bearing the disappointment, ridicule, and insult of the people.
In this way, Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for each of us who cannot worship God as God, who drift away from God, always want to be the center of our own lives, and always want to be served rather than serving others.
If, in addition to faith in Jesus, outward things such as our good deeds, keeping the law, and observing religious rules are the conditions for our salvation, then Jesus' death on the cross is meaningless.
Our church has a cross at the roof spire. The window above the Baptistery (baptismal tub) is also in the shape of a cross.
The Christian church, as a group of Christians who believe in being saved by Christ, believes and testifies that "our salvation is due solely to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which is pure grace (free, unconditional) and always expresses this faith.
If, in addition to the redemptive work of Christ's cross, we add any other conditions of salvation (or, conversely, if we deny the redemptive work of the cross), it would mean we are giving up Christ's salvation and being against God.
Verse 8 says：
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
"If anyone who tries to preach to you a false gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but of anything other than the gratuitous grace of Christ, even if it is us, let them be cursed." – such a strong word is used in this verse.
I think the part “Even if we" is very important, This teaches us that the words of the Bible are not for us to condemn others, but to rebuke ourselves who hear it first.
In other words, Paul, who wrote this epistle, is expressing that, "Even I, too, have the possibility to preach the wrong gospel. I carry such sin and have such weakness always."
There is always a danger that we will boast of something other than the gospel of Jesus Christ (e.g., our own abilities, experiences, achievements, etc.) and pass on such things to others as if they were conditions of salvation.
Paul left his words of faith here with a desire for self-discipline so that when we drift and tend to make such mistake, we ask Jesus Christ to correct our ways.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. He was resurrected and is still alive and working for our salvation (receiving true life and born again living that true life).
That salvation through Jesus Christ is given to us simply by opening our hearts, turning to God, believing and accepting Him.
In order to receive that salvation, there is no action, character, or any other criterion or condition that we must achieve.
May only Christ alone, and faith in Him, be always shared and spoken among us, and that Christ alone may be exalted among us. Let us pray that thanksgiving, joy, and praise to Christ may be abundantly expressed among us.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 62:8
Hymn JBC # 125 All Creatures of our God and King
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn JBC # 261 Dear Spirit, lead me to the Saviour’s side
Offering
Scripture Galatians 1:6～10
Prayer
Sermon “There is No Other Gospel”
Prayer
Hymn JBC #492 My hope is built on nothing less
Doxology JBC # 671
Benediction
Postlude
The Christian faith, that is, the faith that believes in Jesus Christ as God and Savior, is given to us as "grace."
God has invited us to live in the grace of Christ. Our faith in Christ began with "God's invitation to us."
It's a free invitation. It is not something that we have attained through our own efforts or wisdom.
We may receive various invitations from people in our daily lives. Sometimes we receive invitations to weddings or other events.
When we receive such invitation, we will then decide whether we will accept the invitation and attend or not.
When we receive an invitation, it means that the recipient of the invitation (guest) is seen by the inviter (host) as "I want this person to participate" or "This person is the right person to participate."
The inviter (host) chooses who to invite based on some thoughts and conditions, so to speak.
At the inauguration ceremony of the President of the United States held last week, it seems that invitations were sent to some foreign dignitaries in positions that are not usually invited according to diplomatic customs, and it was unusual and made the news.
Invitations to such political events may be accompanied by a strategic idea with an eye on future profits.
I think we were often told by people to "choose the friends you hang out with". I think I have said to myself (I don't think I said it that explicitly) and also to my own children things like “Choose good friends and hang out with them" , "Don't be friends with bad people".
I do hope that friendship between people should be pure bonds, but when I look into my own heart, I think to myself that I probably choose even friends based on calculating profit and loss.
Then, how does God choose people and invite them to believe in Him as God, to the path of grace in Jesus Christ?
Will those who are worthy, excellent, religious, and pious in God's eyes (or in the eyes of others) be chosen, and only they are invited to become Christians who believe in God (or in Jesus Christ)?
This is not the case. The more Christians deepen their faith, that is, the more they have trust and gratitude to God, the more they are made aware that "I am not worthy of God's grace at all, and I have been chosen by God to be saved."
Paul, who wrote the Epistle to the Galatians, which is today's scripture, also says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst. " (1 Timothy 1:15)
As Christians, we can say that we can truly know God's grace by whether or not the words, "I am the worst sinner" have become our own words.
Gratitude and humility to say that God's forgiveness and grace have been given to me, the worst of sinners, must accompany our faith in Christ.
At the beginning of today's passage, it says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel"
The background to this writing is a problem and event that occurred between Paul, who wrote this epistle, and the church in Galatia, to whom this letter was addressed.
In the past, Paul's evangelism led to the establishment of a Christian church in the region of Galatia.
However, after Paul left Galatia, it is said that other people came there and preached a "different gospel" that was different from the one Paul preached. They were the so-called "Judaizers".
"Judaizers" were Jewish Christians. But they were the ones who insisted that "in order for a non-Jewish Gentile to become a Christian, he must first convert to Judaism and then obey the Jewish laws."
To believe in Christ is to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ, the One whom God has become man, and to return to Him.
God revealed Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, through Jesus Christ, we can know "who God is."
Christ's invitation is unconditional. If we dare to say that there is a condition, it is only that we accept the invitation. All we have to do is open our hearts and let Jesus come into our hearts.
But it’s true that it may also be difficult to just open our hearts and ask Jesus to come, and give thanks for God's unconditional grace.
This is because it is difficult for us to open our hearts and welcome Jesus to be at the center of our hearts.
Because at the heart of us sits our stubborn (and arrogant) selves who are unable to surrender their place, even to the Savior.
And even if we believe and accept the gospel of Christ once, we can let go of that faith and leave it after a while.
Such things happen when something else comes into our hearts, things other than pure trust and faith in Christ.
The Judaizers considered "the observance of the Jewish law" to be the condition of faith and salvation.
In a way, they were serious and enthusiastic people, we can say.
For us Christians today, this would apply to "attending worship services," "making offerings," and "serving."
And the idea that if you don't do these things properly, you can't become (you are not) a Christian, is modern Judaizers, so to speak.
But it's the other way around. If we know the gratuitous grace of Christ and receive that grace with gratitude and repentance, it will show itself in the practice of a life of faith. (Not the other way around.)
In his sermon, the pastor of my home church would sometimes share these words of a Buddhist monk.
"Arranging shoes is not faith, but faith is arranging shoes."
Last year, our sister S testified that she was impressed by the way her sister's friend, Christian, silently arranged everyone's shoes at the wedding.
The basis of the act and appearance of silently arranging others’ shoes (not showing it off loudly) was the person's faith in Jesus.
Therefore, I believe that her action (the natural way of living her faith) touched Sister S's heart and remained in her memory for a long time.
Jesus said to His disciples:
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:27)
Jesus said “But I am among you as one who serves.” And Jesus lived according to His words.
Jesus was equal to God, but He made Himself extremely low. He even became a servant to others at the dinner table.
Then, He died on the cross, bearing the disappointment, ridicule, and insult of the people.
In this way, Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for each of us who cannot worship God as God, who drift away from God, always want to be the center of our own lives, and always want to be served rather than serving others.
If, in addition to faith in Jesus, outward things such as our good deeds, keeping the law, and observing religious rules are the conditions for our salvation, then Jesus' death on the cross is meaningless.
Our church has a cross at the roof spire. The window above the Baptistery (baptismal tub) is also in the shape of a cross.
The Christian church, as a group of Christians who believe in being saved by Christ, believes and testifies that "our salvation is due solely to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which is pure grace (free, unconditional) and always expresses this faith.
If, in addition to the redemptive work of Christ's cross, we add any other conditions of salvation (or, conversely, if we deny the redemptive work of the cross), it would mean we are giving up Christ's salvation and being against God.
Verse 8 says：
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
"If anyone who tries to preach to you a false gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but of anything other than the gratuitous grace of Christ, even if it is us, let them be cursed." – such a strong word is used in this verse.
I think the part “Even if we" is very important, This teaches us that the words of the Bible are not for us to condemn others, but to rebuke ourselves who hear it first.
In other words, Paul, who wrote this epistle, is expressing that, "Even I, too, have the possibility to preach the wrong gospel. I carry such sin and have such weakness always."
There is always a danger that we will boast of something other than the gospel of Jesus Christ (e.g., our own abilities, experiences, achievements, etc.) and pass on such things to others as if they were conditions of salvation.
Paul left his words of faith here with a desire for self-discipline so that when we drift and tend to make such mistake, we ask Jesus Christ to correct our ways.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. He was resurrected and is still alive and working for our salvation (receiving true life and born again living that true life).
That salvation through Jesus Christ is given to us simply by opening our hearts, turning to God, believing and accepting Him.
In order to receive that salvation, there is no action, character, or any other criterion or condition that we must achieve.
May only Christ alone, and faith in Him, be always shared and spoken among us, and that Christ alone may be exalted among us. Let us pray that thanksgiving, joy, and praise to Christ may be abundantly expressed among us.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Sunday Worship Service January 19, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Deuteronomy 31:8
Hymn JBC # 16 To God be the glory
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #261 Dear Spirit, lead me to the Saviour’s side
Offering
Scripture 2 Corinthians 4: 7～15
Prayer
Sermon “This treasure in jars of clay”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 550 Dying with Jesus
Doxology JBC #671
Benediction
Postlude
In chapter 4:7 which is the initial verse of today’s scripture that is [2 Corinthians], Paul who wrote this letter writes [we have this treasure in jars of clay]
This [we] refers to each one of us. And the [jars of clay] that Paul describes is our human body.
Jars of clay as an analogy for the human body, in its broader sense, does not merely refer to the physical body, but we can say it’s the whole person that also includes our inner being, such as our spirit and mind.
As we hear [jars of clay], what comes to our mind is “fragility” and “transience”, isn’t it? It is extremely fragile if not handled with care.
In the past, I was given an earthenware rice bowl by a friend.
As I held that rice bowl, it felt good in the hand. I think it was just an imagination, but I felt that the rice I ate in that rice bowl was so tasty more than when I ate from an ordinary rice bowl.
There was the feeling of hand- made. When I ate rice daily with it on my hand, I also took time gazing at it and the rice served in that bowl.
But one day, I think it was about few months have passed since I received that bowl, when I was standing with that bowl in my hand and carelessly dropped it.
That bowl was broken in two on the floor. To my mind, if it’s a ready-made inexpensive bowl and it drops, broken on the floor, it is common that it usually breaks into several pieces along with a loud cracking sound.
However, that earthen bowl that I’ve broken split perfectly in two, with a certain dull sound unshattered on the floor.
It was a bowl that I liked and having dropped and broken it was so disappointing.
And looking at the bowl broken in two made me reflect on “the weakness and vulnerability of the creation”.
Isn’t it that even our body and mind as well are so fragile that even with just a slight matter, it is hurt or shattered?
However, even that weakness of ours signifies that God created us as such a delicate creation.
If then we are the earthenware, the One (Potter) that created it is God. He made each of us with love and truly a special feeling.
I believe that even the human potter makes each of his works with spirit and love. Much more, shouldn’t have our Heavenly Father God created us with truly a great love and exceptional plan?
God lovingly created us as “earthen vessel”.
An earthen vessel is weak and easily broken. However, if we truly understand that all people are such weak, I believe that we are given the feeling of value such a weak self and people other than ourselves.
Keeping in mind that we who are weak were created to live not by relying on ourselves but by relying on the power of the Lord God, I hope that we can live each day sustained by such faith.
However, today’s passage does not merely say that we human beings are just “earthen vessel”, weak, fragile and short-lived.
In today’s passage, it says that we have a “treasure” in these “jars of clay” which is us.
This treasure is written as follows in verse 6 which is the verse prior to today’s passage.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
It says that what we have within us as jars of clay is “light”, it’s the “light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ”.
In my opinion, “The light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ” may be well to paraphrase it in various ways as “the light of joy to know God through Jesus Christ” or “the light of hope to be made to live by the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
We have within us that are jars of clay such a treasure from God.
During Jesus’ lifetime as human being, He told the people “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14)
We ourselves don’t shine. We come to know Jesus Christ through God’s Word of the bible and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and when we believe Him, Christ will live within us, and He becomes the shining Light in us.
In the latter half of verse 7 is written,
[to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us]
I believe that Paul who wrote the letter to the Corinthians truly felt by himself that this “all-surpassing power” was at work through him.
The power that it is God’s Word of the bible that makes people live. And it’s the power of hope which the name of Jesus Christ gives to man.
Paul writes in chap. 2:4～5 of [1 Corinthians] as follows.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Paul must have realized “thinking of it, even my words were not skillful, and I couldn’t deliver even my sermons with words full of wisdom and refined speech. And yet many people believed the gospel of Jesus Christ through my sermon. That is because the power of God was at work through me (It was not of my own strength.)
Even Paul himself must have had his own various weaknesses. It is said that Paul had some kind of chronic illness or handicap.
Paul may be supposed to be like an extremely strong-willed person as well, but although he was as such, he must have had a very weak and vulnerable heart as a person.
Paul had various weak points as well as his past of having severely persecuted the believers of Christ.
But still, the power of God in Jesus Christ was at work through him, thus it was evident to the people that “it’s the God of Christ who is at work through Paul and not himself”.
Knowing our own weakness and admitting our own shortcomings, let us also realize however, that despite our weaknesses and shortcomings, God works through us and the great power of the God of Christ is given in us.
And let us hope that that power of Christ may be made known also to the people through us.
Today’s verses 8～9 is written as follows.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
“Hard pressed on every side”, “perplexed”, “persecuted” and “struck down”. As Christ’s missionary Paul himself had experienced all of these.
I believe there are times when even we have each one’s painful feelings, feeling devastated or trying experience that leave us seemingly unable to stand up.
There may be someone exactly amidst such hardship now.
However, Paul says “no matter we are hard pressed, perplexed or struck down, the God of Jesus Christ is with us”. He says, “that God sustains me”.
Paul was confident “no matter how much I suffer or defeated, I never become completely discouraged. I will neither be abandoned nor destroyed. For Christ will never forsake me”.
That confidence is also given to us as a gift by faith in believing God.
Even believers experience times of suffering, sorrow, and pain. And because we are all made of clay, we easily get hurt, and sometimes we feel like we are going to break, or even actually break.
There are times when we are sad, when we don’t know what to do or when we feel defeated.
However, Jesus Christ is with us. He cries with us that are hurting.
And Jesus comforts us by God’s Word, even if we fall, He gently takes our hand and helps us to stand that we can rise again someday.
In today’s verse 14 is written [The One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus]
This “raise” refers to the spiritual resurrection after we die.
Simultaneously, this resurrection also refers to, when we go through exhausting hard times in life, amid daily living, God provides us strength and makes us rise once again.
No matter how struck down we are, God will never leave nor destroy us.
In [Deuteronomy] chap. 31:8 of the Old Testament, Moses told Joshua his successor as follows.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
This utterance is an everlasting truth. Let us cling to God’s truth and His Word that He will never forsake us.
Even though we fall, God’s great power that resurrected Jesus who died will surely make us rise once again and fill us with the strength and hope of resurrection.
In that way, with Christ’s great power that works more and more powerfully within us that are weak and fragile, Christ’s light and strength will also be conveyed to other people through us.
As we rely on God who uses us as a vessel for such a noble work, moreover, who always encourages and comforts us, let us live each day as Christ’s believers and as messengers that proclaim Christ.
Prelude
Call to Worship Deuteronomy 31:8
Hymn JBC # 16 To God be the glory
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #261 Dear Spirit, lead me to the Saviour’s side
Offering
Scripture 2 Corinthians 4: 7～15
Prayer
Sermon “This treasure in jars of clay”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 550 Dying with Jesus
Doxology JBC #671
Benediction
Postlude
In chapter 4:7 which is the initial verse of today’s scripture that is [2 Corinthians], Paul who wrote this letter writes [we have this treasure in jars of clay]
This [we] refers to each one of us. And the [jars of clay] that Paul describes is our human body.
Jars of clay as an analogy for the human body, in its broader sense, does not merely refer to the physical body, but we can say it’s the whole person that also includes our inner being, such as our spirit and mind.
As we hear [jars of clay], what comes to our mind is “fragility” and “transience”, isn’t it? It is extremely fragile if not handled with care.
In the past, I was given an earthenware rice bowl by a friend.
As I held that rice bowl, it felt good in the hand. I think it was just an imagination, but I felt that the rice I ate in that rice bowl was so tasty more than when I ate from an ordinary rice bowl.
There was the feeling of hand- made. When I ate rice daily with it on my hand, I also took time gazing at it and the rice served in that bowl.
But one day, I think it was about few months have passed since I received that bowl, when I was standing with that bowl in my hand and carelessly dropped it.
That bowl was broken in two on the floor. To my mind, if it’s a ready-made inexpensive bowl and it drops, broken on the floor, it is common that it usually breaks into several pieces along with a loud cracking sound.
However, that earthen bowl that I’ve broken split perfectly in two, with a certain dull sound unshattered on the floor.
It was a bowl that I liked and having dropped and broken it was so disappointing.
And looking at the bowl broken in two made me reflect on “the weakness and vulnerability of the creation”.
Isn’t it that even our body and mind as well are so fragile that even with just a slight matter, it is hurt or shattered?
However, even that weakness of ours signifies that God created us as such a delicate creation.
If then we are the earthenware, the One (Potter) that created it is God. He made each of us with love and truly a special feeling.
I believe that even the human potter makes each of his works with spirit and love. Much more, shouldn’t have our Heavenly Father God created us with truly a great love and exceptional plan?
God lovingly created us as “earthen vessel”.
An earthen vessel is weak and easily broken. However, if we truly understand that all people are such weak, I believe that we are given the feeling of value such a weak self and people other than ourselves.
Keeping in mind that we who are weak were created to live not by relying on ourselves but by relying on the power of the Lord God, I hope that we can live each day sustained by such faith.
However, today’s passage does not merely say that we human beings are just “earthen vessel”, weak, fragile and short-lived.
In today’s passage, it says that we have a “treasure” in these “jars of clay” which is us.
This treasure is written as follows in verse 6 which is the verse prior to today’s passage.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
It says that what we have within us as jars of clay is “light”, it’s the “light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ”.
In my opinion, “The light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ” may be well to paraphrase it in various ways as “the light of joy to know God through Jesus Christ” or “the light of hope to be made to live by the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
We have within us that are jars of clay such a treasure from God.
During Jesus’ lifetime as human being, He told the people “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14)
We ourselves don’t shine. We come to know Jesus Christ through God’s Word of the bible and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and when we believe Him, Christ will live within us, and He becomes the shining Light in us.
In the latter half of verse 7 is written,
[to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us]
I believe that Paul who wrote the letter to the Corinthians truly felt by himself that this “all-surpassing power” was at work through him.
The power that it is God’s Word of the bible that makes people live. And it’s the power of hope which the name of Jesus Christ gives to man.
Paul writes in chap. 2:4～5 of [1 Corinthians] as follows.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Paul must have realized “thinking of it, even my words were not skillful, and I couldn’t deliver even my sermons with words full of wisdom and refined speech. And yet many people believed the gospel of Jesus Christ through my sermon. That is because the power of God was at work through me (It was not of my own strength.)
Even Paul himself must have had his own various weaknesses. It is said that Paul had some kind of chronic illness or handicap.
Paul may be supposed to be like an extremely strong-willed person as well, but although he was as such, he must have had a very weak and vulnerable heart as a person.
Paul had various weak points as well as his past of having severely persecuted the believers of Christ.
But still, the power of God in Jesus Christ was at work through him, thus it was evident to the people that “it’s the God of Christ who is at work through Paul and not himself”.
Knowing our own weakness and admitting our own shortcomings, let us also realize however, that despite our weaknesses and shortcomings, God works through us and the great power of the God of Christ is given in us.
And let us hope that that power of Christ may be made known also to the people through us.
Today’s verses 8～9 is written as follows.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
“Hard pressed on every side”, “perplexed”, “persecuted” and “struck down”. As Christ’s missionary Paul himself had experienced all of these.
I believe there are times when even we have each one’s painful feelings, feeling devastated or trying experience that leave us seemingly unable to stand up.
There may be someone exactly amidst such hardship now.
However, Paul says “no matter we are hard pressed, perplexed or struck down, the God of Jesus Christ is with us”. He says, “that God sustains me”.
Paul was confident “no matter how much I suffer or defeated, I never become completely discouraged. I will neither be abandoned nor destroyed. For Christ will never forsake me”.
That confidence is also given to us as a gift by faith in believing God.
Even believers experience times of suffering, sorrow, and pain. And because we are all made of clay, we easily get hurt, and sometimes we feel like we are going to break, or even actually break.
There are times when we are sad, when we don’t know what to do or when we feel defeated.
However, Jesus Christ is with us. He cries with us that are hurting.
And Jesus comforts us by God’s Word, even if we fall, He gently takes our hand and helps us to stand that we can rise again someday.
In today’s verse 14 is written [The One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus]
This “raise” refers to the spiritual resurrection after we die.
Simultaneously, this resurrection also refers to, when we go through exhausting hard times in life, amid daily living, God provides us strength and makes us rise once again.
No matter how struck down we are, God will never leave nor destroy us.
In [Deuteronomy] chap. 31:8 of the Old Testament, Moses told Joshua his successor as follows.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
This utterance is an everlasting truth. Let us cling to God’s truth and His Word that He will never forsake us.
Even though we fall, God’s great power that resurrected Jesus who died will surely make us rise once again and fill us with the strength and hope of resurrection.
In that way, with Christ’s great power that works more and more powerfully within us that are weak and fragile, Christ’s light and strength will also be conveyed to other people through us.
As we rely on God who uses us as a vessel for such a noble work, moreover, who always encourages and comforts us, let us live each day as Christ’s believers and as messengers that proclaim Christ.
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